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Vermeulen to move on from Suzuki
12:00a.m. 20th August 2009
| By Jon Tuxworth
Yandina’s MotoGP star, Chris Vermeulen, has given four years of loyal service to Rizla Suzuki and was reluctant to bid them farewell.
But in life you have to look after number one, especially when you have your eyes focussed on becoming a world champion.
Speaking to the Daily from his Andorra home yesterday, Vermeulen confirmed he had severed ties with Suzuki after it became clear the Japanese manufacturer didn’t have the potential to help him realise his dream.
Suzuki was eager to begin negotiations with Vermeulen, but the 27-year-old informed them he would be moving on.
The MotoGP future of Vermeulen has been questioned since Suzuki signed 250cc championship contender Alvaro Bautista for next year early this week.
Vermeulen and his Suzuki teammate Loris Capirossi have both endured disappointing seasons so far, currently sitting 10th and ninth in the championship standings.
Vermeulen yesterday confirmed his management had been in negotiations with LCR Honda and Tech 3 Yamaha, as revealed by the Daily on Tuesday, in a bid to continue his MotoGP career in 2010.
The 2007 French MotoGP champion said his future would become clearer sometime between the Indianapolis race on August 30 and San Marino a week later.
“They wanted to start negotiating with me, but basically I decided not to continue with Suzuki,” Vermeulen said.
“I’ve had four good years there with a race win, a few podiums and three or four pole positions, but this year hasn’t gone according to plan.”
While his preference is obviously to remain in MotoGP, Vermeulen hasn’t ruled out a return to World Superbikes should he fail to secure a seat capable of challenging for the world title.
“I would like to stay in MotoGP if I can be on a bike I believe I’ll be competitive on,” he said. “If not I’ll look at World Superbikes.”
When asked if he would view that as a step backwards, Vermeulen said, “No, not at all. I race motorbikes because I love racing motorbikes.
“I love winning races and we haven’t done that for a little while at Suzuki.”
Vermeulen believes he has improved significantly as a rider the past two years, but hasn’t enjoyed a level playing field to showcase his talent.
“I think I improve every time I go out, but at MotoGP level things change very quickly,” he said.
“New rules were inducted into the championship this season which didn’t help us at all. One was the single tyre rule but the biggest was reduced testing.
“Suzuki’s one of the smallest manufacturers and have less money to spend on development, plus they’re only getting feedback from two riders.
“In MotoGP there’re so many riders who’ve won races and world championships, that if you have a small disadvantage you can get forgotten.
“You have to get yourself in the shop window and the only way to do that it is by racing at the front.”
the daily com
12:00a.m. 20th August 2009
| By Jon Tuxworth
Yandina’s MotoGP star, Chris Vermeulen, has given four years of loyal service to Rizla Suzuki and was reluctant to bid them farewell.
But in life you have to look after number one, especially when you have your eyes focussed on becoming a world champion.
Speaking to the Daily from his Andorra home yesterday, Vermeulen confirmed he had severed ties with Suzuki after it became clear the Japanese manufacturer didn’t have the potential to help him realise his dream.
Suzuki was eager to begin negotiations with Vermeulen, but the 27-year-old informed them he would be moving on.
The MotoGP future of Vermeulen has been questioned since Suzuki signed 250cc championship contender Alvaro Bautista for next year early this week.
Vermeulen and his Suzuki teammate Loris Capirossi have both endured disappointing seasons so far, currently sitting 10th and ninth in the championship standings.
Vermeulen yesterday confirmed his management had been in negotiations with LCR Honda and Tech 3 Yamaha, as revealed by the Daily on Tuesday, in a bid to continue his MotoGP career in 2010.
The 2007 French MotoGP champion said his future would become clearer sometime between the Indianapolis race on August 30 and San Marino a week later.
“They wanted to start negotiating with me, but basically I decided not to continue with Suzuki,” Vermeulen said.
“I’ve had four good years there with a race win, a few podiums and three or four pole positions, but this year hasn’t gone according to plan.”
While his preference is obviously to remain in MotoGP, Vermeulen hasn’t ruled out a return to World Superbikes should he fail to secure a seat capable of challenging for the world title.
“I would like to stay in MotoGP if I can be on a bike I believe I’ll be competitive on,” he said. “If not I’ll look at World Superbikes.”
When asked if he would view that as a step backwards, Vermeulen said, “No, not at all. I race motorbikes because I love racing motorbikes.
“I love winning races and we haven’t done that for a little while at Suzuki.”
Vermeulen believes he has improved significantly as a rider the past two years, but hasn’t enjoyed a level playing field to showcase his talent.
“I think I improve every time I go out, but at MotoGP level things change very quickly,” he said.
“New rules were inducted into the championship this season which didn’t help us at all. One was the single tyre rule but the biggest was reduced testing.
“Suzuki’s one of the smallest manufacturers and have less money to spend on development, plus they’re only getting feedback from two riders.
“In MotoGP there’re so many riders who’ve won races and world championships, that if you have a small disadvantage you can get forgotten.
“You have to get yourself in the shop window and the only way to do that it is by racing at the front.”
the daily com
